Xie Jiayan watched Xiao Che's retreating figure disappear completely before he slowly descended the steps. The night draped the imperial palace in a veil of mystery and splendor.
The streetlights outside the palace cast a warm yellow glow, yet they offered him no warmth, only a growing unease.
"Lian Kong," Xie Jiayan's expression was grim, his tall figure appearing forlorn, almost faltering. "Has something happened at Qianshan Temple?"
Lian Kong quickly replied, "Nothing of the sort. Young Master, your complexion is a bit poor. Are you feeling unwell?"
Xie Jiayan was taken aback. He had clearly smelled sandalwood on Song Wei. He thought, he thought...
"Qianniu Guards were sent to Qianshan Temple today!"
"Were those people Qianniu Guards? They seemed to be targeting the Duke of Dingguo's wife," Lian Kong said.
A sarcastic smile touched Xie Jiayan's lips. After all these years, he still wouldn't let her go.
Was he so afraid of her meeting old acquaintances? Was he going to trap her there for life?
"The Duchess went to Qianshan Temple to invite Master Zhiyan to lecture on Buddhist scriptures for her unborn child. Oh, and Sixth Miss sent a refreshing sachet, saying it was for Young Master's duties. It's in your study."
Xie Jiayan nodded. After Lian Kong finished speaking, he vanished into the shadows.
Yu Mingyue heard her Uncle Xie playing the zither next door again. However, the music today sounded somewhat... mournful.
It was a melancholy, as if a breath was trapped in his chest, unable to be released.
Had Uncle Xie encountered any troubles recently?
It seemed everyone's days had been difficult lately.
Ever since Yu Mingyue told her the story of Marquis Zhu that day, Madam Cui had been worried that the Sage would once again target the noble families, and she worried about the Cui family. She had been having nightmares for days.
Yu Mingyue didn't realize how arduous pregnancy could be and regretted what she had said that day.
Fearing that her mother would worry even more about what she was about to do, she decided to send Madam Cui away.
Madam Cui was most obedient to her wet nurse, Nanny Qin. So, Yu Mingyue found a way to let Nanny Qin hear about how efficacious Master Zhiyan's scriptures were at Qianshan Temple.
Nanny Qin cared deeply for Madam Cui. Qianshan Temple was also a royal temple, with enlightened monks. To ease Madam Cui's mind and ensure the safety of her unborn child, she suggested that Madam Cui go to Qianshan Temple to listen to Master Zhiyan's lectures.
Madam Cui listened to the Master's lectures at Qianshan Temple for several days and indeed felt much more at peace. Her nightmares also ceased at night.
Upon returning to the manor, she heard about what had happened a few days prior. If she still couldn't figure out whose idea this was, then her thirty-odd years would have been in vain.
Before Madam Cui could even question her, Yu Mingyue obediently went to confess her wrongdoing. Madam Cui felt both sadness and a touch of happiness.
Her Yue'er had finally grown up and learned to protect herself.
"Mother, Yue'er dislikes Grandmother and Su Wanqing. I detest seeing them. I am the mistress of the Duke's manor, and there's no reason for me to compromise because of her. It would be better for everyone if she were sent away. As for the Old Madam, the way she treated Mother and the descendants of the Yu family, she doesn't deserve to be my grandmother. If she wants to be sick, let her be sick."
Yu Mingyue first admitted her fault, then acted spoiled, explaining how wronged she felt. How could Madam Cui bear to blame her?
"You are still young, how can you bear such ill repute? It is Mother who should be protecting you," Madam Cui said, affectionately holding her daughter's small hand.
"Yue'er is not afraid!" It would be best if this reached the ears of Noble Consort Yao and the engagement was broken off.
The affairs of the Duke of Dingguo's manor naturally reached the Sage's ears. Noble Consort Yao fed the Sage a cherry and said, "I didn't expect Sixth Miss, at such a young age, to be so capable."
The Sage spat the pit onto a handkerchief and chuckled, "I think Sixth Miss dares to think and dare to act. Her vengeful nature has the bearing of her grandfather. This is how a legitimate daughter of the Duke's manor should be."
As a person in power, must one grovel to others on their own territory?
Noble Consort Yao paused for a moment, then smiled, "Indeed, the Sage has a discerning eye. With her by Che'er's side in the future, the inner court will be spared much turmoil."
The Sage took the Consort's hand and patted it, "For our seventh prince, we naturally choose the best."
Hearing the word "best," the Consort's smile deepened.
However, though she dared to think it, she dared not voice it.
She knew the Sage's temper well. He might grant it, but you couldn't ask for it, otherwise, if you incurred his wrath, it would be like that...
Best not to mention it, bad luck!